One month before Election Day, powerful Minnesota Republicans are condemning words from their presidential nominee, some withdrawing their support or saying he should quit the race.

In a 2005 recording, uncovered on Friday, Donald Trump used explicit terms to describe how he treats women, including grabbing their body parts and kissing them.

“I’ve got to use some Tic Tacs, just in case I start kissing her,” Trump said in the recording, which news outlets made available. “I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait.”

On Saturday, Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt, the highest placed Republican in state government, joined the call for Trump to withdraw, former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he could no longer back Trump and embattled Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen said he could not vote for the Republican nominee.

“Although I’d hoped he could have risen to the occasion, it’s clear Trump is unwilling or unable to demonstrate even the most basic level of discipline, character and judgment necessary to lead our great nation,” Pawlenty said in a statement. “He is unsound, uninformed, unhinged and unfit to be president of the United States, and I am withdrawing my support for him.”

ERIK PAULSEN

Paulsen, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, said Saturday: “For months, I have said Donald Trump has not earned my vote. The disgusting statements revealed last night make it clear he cannot. I will not be voting for him.” On Friday evening, Paulsen tweeted that he found Trump’s words “disgusting and offensive.”

Paulsen faces well-funded Democratic opposition in his quest to return to Congress to represent his western suburban district. Democratic state Sen. Terri Bonoff is running against him and has worked in her campaign to pin Trump’s unpopularity in the suburbs on Paulsen. Before and after Paulsen’s statement, she said it was “too late” for Paulsen to disavow Trump.

Paulsen’s statement attempted to do just that.

“Both of the major candidates for President are deeply flawed. Irrespective of who is elected President, it is clear that the country needs a strong co-equal branch of government. And Congress needs to hold the executive branch accountable,” Paulsen said.

Other Minnesota Republicans condemned Trump’s words but did not go further.

JOHN KLINE

U.S. Rep. John Kline, who represents the suburban 2nd Congressional District, said in a statement: “Trump’s remarks were offensive and disgusting.” Kline is retiring after this year.

TOM EMMER

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer of the 6th Congressional District, who was among the first Minnesota officials to throw his weight behind Trump, said the comments were “indefensible” and sought to refocus the debate.

“Comments and conversations involving Mr. Trump from 2005 that recently surfaced are indefensible. I am glad to see Donald Trump disavow and apologize for the comments and behavior from 2005,” Emmer said in a statement. “With little over a month before the election I hope for renewed focus on the many important issues that will impact the lives of Minnesotans and all Americans in the coming years and decades, such as: highway investments, regulation and tax reform to stimulate job growth, and polices to make sure we are all safe and secure in country and around the globe.”

MINNESOTA CANDIDATES

Trump’s words are also reverberating in Minnesota races.

Republican Stewart Mills, who is seeking to oust Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan in the Trump-friendly 8th Congressional District, said in a simple statement: “His remarks were crude and vulgar.”

Jason Lewis, who is battling Democrat Angie Craig for the 2nd District seat from which Kline is retiring, concurred.

“As the father of two daughters and husband to Leigh, Donald Trump’s comments were clearly wrong, vile and indefensible,” he said.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP

Among Minnesota Republicans, Daudt, the state House speaker hoping to lead legislative Republicans to victory next month, was the most blunt.

“I believe Minnesotans and Americans are looking for strong conservative leadership that can unite our country, but it’s clear that Donald Trump cannot and will not provide that leadership and necessary contrast with the far-left vision of Hillary Clinton. I strongly urge his campaign to consider what’s best for the future of our country and our party, and step aside so we can defeat Hillary Clinton,” Daudt said. He said Trump’s comments showed him as disqualified to be commander-in-chief.

It is not at all clear that a Trump withdrawal is even feasible at this stage.

TRUMP APOLOGIZES, WILL NOT QUIT

When Trump’s remarks were first published, Trump first said: “This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago. Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course — not even close. I apologize if anyone was offended.”

Hours later, Trump issued an actual apology.

“I said it, I was wrong and I apologize,” he said in a video statement, in which he also went after both Hillary and Bill Clinton.

Rachel E. Stassen-Berger was a Minnesota Capitol reporter for the Pioneer Press from 2001 to 2009 and again from 2015 to 2017.

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